David Brice
Global Holidays
London, U.K.
With less that 3 weeks to go before the
Olympic Games start in London the main focus has been on the Olympic torch
relay which has brought Olympic fever to all parts of the UK since the Torch
set out on its journey on May 19, 2012. When the Torch reaches its destination
on July 27, 8,000 inspirational people, all having been nominated by someone
they know, will have carried the Torch the length and breadth of the UK.
People have come out in their thousands
everyday to watch as the torch passes and there has been a real community
spirit despite the UK having a very wet summer. The Olympic Torch even blew out
once although there is a back up flame called the “mother flame” which is the one
that has travelled all the way from Greece. There have been other mishaps too.
Every day over 100 people carry the Torch
ranging from celebrities like Will.I.am, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver to injured
soldiers in wheel chairs. The relay has been a hugely emotional experience for
all taking part and for many it has been a huge challenge to walk just a few
steps due to their disabilities.
Two people were burned and hospitalised
when fuel used to light the flame spilled out from the truck. The Olympic Torch
is surrounded by a security team made up of police men and women who run
between 10 and 15 miles a day each; and they have been needed on several
occasions. A man on a bike tried to ride alongside the runner and was quickly
bundled away, whilst in Leeds an elderly lady tried to touch the torch
believing it would bring her good luck.
Also, two young boys snatched the Olympic torch from a relay
participant, as the flame passed through Coventry.
Meanwhile the venues for the Olympics have
all been ready for many months and all the tickets were sold many months ago
too. Despite the huge price of a ticket, millions of people applied online and
despite a few computer glitches due to overwhelming demand, the ticket sale
process has been smooth.
The only possible disruption to the
Olympics is a possible strike by bus drivers who want to be paid more money
because they say they will be carrying more passengers. Nevertheless London has
promised to put on a fantastic opening ceremony despite not spending the same
money as Beijing did four years ago.
The only issue is whether Brits will be
tired of sport after several big sporting events in a row. Euro 2012 football
tournament has just finished as has the tennis at Wimbledon. England is playing
Australia at cricket and there has just been the British Formula 1 Grand Prix
at Silverstone. All this has taken place during the wettest summer for a
generation. It’s been the wettest June since records began and as I write this,
there has just been a month’s rainfall in just a few hours with many places
across the country under flood water!
Our guest blogger, David Brice, is the owner of the online travel agent Global Holidays and lecturer in Travel and Tourism at Leeds City College in the U.K.
Flickr.com Photo Credit:
London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay by Liam Gladdy
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